The day college basketball fans have been eagerly awaiting is here-the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off at 12:15 p.m. ET.
The excitement is already palpable after a thrilling start with the First Four games. Howard edged out UMBC 86-83, fueled by Ose Okojie's impressive 23-point performance.
Texas clinched their spot thanks to a game-winning shot by Tramon Mark against NC State. Prairie View A&M made a statement by decisively defeating Lehigh, while Miami (OH) lit up the scoreboard, sinking 16 of their 41 three-point attempts to overcome SMU.
As we look ahead to Thursday's action, Duke stands out as the frontrunner for the national championship. With Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans at the helm, Jon Scheyer's squad is poised for a deep run.
The other top seeds-Arizona, Florida, and Michigan-are also strong contenders, each favored to make it to the Final Four. Historically speaking, 17 of the last 18 champions have been No. 1 seeds or UConn, underscoring the significance of these top spots.
The stage is set for an unforgettable tournament, and if the First Four is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride. Buckle up, basketball fans-March Madness is officially underway!